Police officers under investigation after reported suicide death

A team of police officers has been placed under investigation following the reported suicide death of a man in St Elizabeth earlier this week.

The deceased has been identified as 58-year-old Leslie Barrett, otherwise called ‘Wayne’, a former court bailiff of Luana Housing Scheme, St Elizabeth. Barrett is said to be a former court bailiff and was a person of interest in an ongoing investigation.

Reports from the Black River Police are that about 8:30 am, Barrett was driving a Honda motor car along the Rocky Hill main road in St Elizabeth when lawmen signaled him to stop.

The driver reportedly complied and was invited to sit in the police service vehicle. Shortly after, an explosion was heard, and Barrett was subsequently discovered slumped over in the back seat of the service vehicle with a gunshot wound and his licensed Glock pistol beside him, according to the police.

Officers from the Independent Commission of Investigation have since launched an investigation into the matter, which is reportedly being treated as a death in police custody.

There are also reports that officers who apprehended the suspect may be questioned as to how the suspect was placed in the back of the vehicle with a weapon in his possession.